Method and device for processing poultry

ABSTRACT

In a method and device for carrying out at least one processing operation on a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legs, the bird is conveyed on a hook of a conveyor towards and into the processing area of a processing device in order for the at least one processing operation to be carried out on the bird. The bird is positioned in the processing area of the processing device by externally supporting the bird at at least two locations, which are selected from the group of locations which comprises the back, the sternum, the area of the clavicle, the wings and the sides of the bird. Then, the at least one processing operation is carried out in the processing device in the area of the breast of the bird. The bird may also be positioned in the processing area of the processing device by internally supporting the bird on the side of the sternum facing the abdominal cavity of the bird.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/761,567 filed on Jan. 16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,873 which isa continuation of International Application No. PCT/NL99/00432 filed onJul. 7, 1999, which claims priority to The Netherlands Application No.1009670 filed on Jul. 16, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and device for processing aslaughtered bird which is hung by its legs from a hook of a movingconveyor. Methods and devices of this nature are generally known.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

A special processing operation carried out on a slaughtered andeviscerated bird is a partial processing operation in which an automaticor semi-automatic processing device is used to obtain bird parts whichare each of substantially identical weight or contain an equal amount ofmeat, irrespective of the body part (such as breast, wing, thigh,drumstick) which the bird part comprises. Since the amount of meat perbird part is relatively limited, the division must be carried out asaccurately and reproducibly as possible, in order to keep differences inweight or amount of meat between the different bird parts withinpredetermined limits. A division which satisfies this requirement canonly be carried out if the bird is accurately positioned in theprocessing device. The known methods and devices are not entirelysatisfactory with regard to this point.

EP-B-0,033,177 describes a device for dividing a bird into nine parts,each of substantially the same weight. To this end, the bird has to bemanually arranged on a positioning support which acts on the bird at thelocation of the ankle joints and the wings, and also supports the birdat the sides of the body, the top of the thighs, behind the spinalcolumn and on the back. Then, various blades are used to automaticallycut through the carcass, the breast and a first wing being cut offsuccessively, and then a body longitudinal-halving cut being made, theother wing and the complete legs being cut off, and the drumsticks beingcut free from the thighs.

A drawback of the device described in EP-B-0,033,177 is that it is notsuitable for picking up and processing birds which have been supplied ina conveyor, such as an overhead suspension conveyor, without humanintervention; the birds have to be arranged manually on the positioningsupports. Furthermore, the bird is not optimally positioned on thepositioning support.

EP-A-0,545,040 describes a device for cutting off a breast part of abird, the wings already having been removed from the bird. The bird ishung by its legs from a hook and is internally supported by means of amandrel which substantially fills the body cavity and causes the breastof the bird to project outwardly by exerting pressure on the ribs of thechest. On the outside of the carcass, there is a pivotable retentionplate which interacts with an opposite surface of the mandrel and, onthe side which is to face the mandrel, comprises a projection whichclamps the clavicle of the bird against the mandrel. The retention platealso supports the shoulders of the bird. After the bird has been fixedin position in this way, firstly a stationary blade is used to make atransverse guide cut, at an angle to the carcass surface, in the abdomenof the bird, between the pelvis and the breastbone. Then, a rotatingblade is used to make a transverse cut, at an angle to the carcasssurface, in the breast of the bird, in order to separate the breast fromthe neck, shoulders and upper back of the bird. Finally, in the path ofthe transverse guide cut, a second cut is made with a rotating blade, inorder to separate the breast from the pelvis and the lower back of thebird.

A drawback of the device according to EP-A-0,545,040 is that it isnecessary for a voluminous mandrel to be introduced into the body cavityof the bird in order to make the desired cuts, but the positioning ofthe breast of the bird is not optimum for a cut/cuts to be made, as aresult of the breast being supported by the mandrel in the area of theribs. Also, since the positioning of the breast is not optimum,asymmetric breast parts are often cut off, which are increasinglyunacceptable for purchasers of the breast pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to improve the positioning of the bird, inparticular of its breast, in order for breast-related processingoperations to be carried out. It is also an object to optimize thebreast cut(s).

A further object of the invention is to optimize the way in which thewings and the legs of the bird are cut off.

Another object of the invention is to provide the option for thedivision of the bird to take place completely automatically.

In order for one or more of the above-mentioned objects to be achieved,the method according to the invention for carrying out at least oneprocessing operation on a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legscomprises the steps: providing a conveyor with at least one hook forhanging and conveying the bird; providing a processing device with aprocessing area for carrying out the at least one processing operationon the bird; using the conveyor to convey the bird towards and into theprocessing area of the processing device; positioning the bird in theprocessing area of the processing device by externally supporting thebird at at least two locations, selected from the group of locationswhich comprises the back, the sternum, the area of the clavicle, thewings and the sides of the bird; and carrying out the at least oneprocessing operation in the processing device in the area of the breastof the bird.

Alternatively, the step of positioning the bird in the method accordingto the invention comprises the step of internally supporting the bird onthat side of the sternum which faces towards the abdominal cavity of thebird.

In the two ways mentioned above, it is possible to obtain a veryaccurate, stable and reproducible positioning of the bird for a widevariety of breast-related processing operations, such as: cutting offpart of the breast; removing the skin from the breast; deboning thebreast; dividing the carcass into a front half and a rear half;separating the wings from the carcass; and injecting a substance intothe breast.

An additional processing operation for a breast-related processingoperation is, for example, making a transverse incision in the abdomenbelow the sternum. In this case, use is preferably made of a sternumsupport element which acts on that side of the sternum which is directedtowards the abdominal cavity of the bird, in the area of the free end ofthe trabecula mediana. Since this part of the sternum is accessible tothe sternum support element from the outside of the bird, this isregarded as external support of the bird. The sternum support element,which may, for example, comprise a guide rail which extends in the pathof the sternum, ensures that during the transverse incision the sternumis kept out of the path of the cutting means used, such as a rotatingknife.

A similar external sternum support element in the form of a guide whichextends in the path of the sternum can be used for cutting off part ofthe breast, comprising part of the trabecula mediana and each trabeculaintermedia. This sternum support element also preferably acts on thesternum in the area of the free end of the trabecula mediana.

Preferably, another sternum support element is introduced into theabdominal cavity of the bird from a neck opening or drawing opening ofthe bird which has been made in an earlier processing stage, in order toreach the desired location in the area of the sternum, in particular thearea of the rostrum sterni or the area of the ventricle.

In a preferred embodiment, the latter sternum support element comprisesan arm which can move in a controllable manner, a free end of the armbeing adapted to engage the side of the sternum facing the abdominalcavity. In order to make it easier to introduce the sternum supportelement into the body of the slaughtered animal, a first part of the armmay be pivotably connected to a second part of the arm, in which casethe first part can be oriented, in a controllable manner, bothsubstantially in line with the second part and at an angle with respectthereto, for example an angle of substantially 90°.

In an expedient embodiment, the means for positioning the sternum form asingle unit with means for positioning the clavicle, so that positioninginaccuracies resulting from tolerances in the tools used are reduced toa minimum.

Preferably, a clavicle support element acts on the concave side of theclavicle, to which end the clavicle support element advantageouslycomprises a substantially L-shaped arm with a short limb and a longlimb, the short limb being intended to engage the concave side of theclavicle. In this case, for optimum positioning of the clavicle, the armis preferably moved such that the angle between the longitudinal axis ofthe short limb and a horizontal plane when the short limb is engagingthe clavicle is larger than when it is at a distance from the clavicle.As a result, the sternum, which is connected to the clavicle, is pressedagainst a sternum support element.

Positioning of the body of the bird for the purpose of a partialprocessing operation comprises the step of: moving the wings withrespect to the body, substantially in a direction away from the hips.For this purpose, it is possible to provide a pair of forks which can bedisplaced in a controllable manner in the vertical direction and eachhave a pair of downwardly directed limbs, the distance between the limbsof each fork substantially corresponding to a transverse dimension of awing. Each of the forks is intended to be placed between the hips andthe shoulders of the bird, and the forks can pivot, in a controllablemanner, between a first angular position, in which the distance betweenthe ends of the pairs of limbs substantially corresponds to the width ofthe body of a bird between the hips and the shoulders, and a secondangular position, in which there is a greater distance between said endsof said pairs of limbs than in said first angular position. In the firstangular position of the forks, the body of the bird is positionedbetween the forks. Then, the forks are moved downwards, with the humerusof each wing moving in between the limbs of a fork. At the same time, ornext, the forks are pivoted into their second angular position, with theresult that the body of the bird is stretched as a result of a tensileforce which is thus exerted between the legs and the wings. This makesit easier to carry out the cutting processing operations on the body.

In a preferred embodiment, the forks are arranged on a common bodymember, which body member may also comprise a pivotable plate, at leasta section of which is intended to be brought into contact with the backof the bird in order to position the back.

In another preferred embodiment, the positioning means comprise a pairof wing support elements which can be displaced in a controllable mannerin the vertical direction and each have a downwardly directed hook-likeend, which wing support elements are each intended to be placed betweenthe hips and the shoulders of the bird and can pivot, in a controllablemanner, between a first angular position, in which their hook-like endsare directed downwards, and a second angular position, in which saidends hook around the wings and are directed substantially towards theback of the bird.

Preferably, while a part of the breast is being cut off, the breast ofthe bird is pushed away substantially parallel to the plane of the cutand in the direction in which the cut is being made, in particular bymeans of at least one belt conveyor. In this way, an optimum cut forobtaining a symmetrical breast part of the desired dimensions isobtained both in the method and device according to the invention, butalso in other devices, such as devices according to the prior art. Theconveying speed of the belt conveyor is preferably selected in such away that it is greater than or equal to the conveying speed of theconveyor. An optimum action of the conveyor on the breast part which isto be cut off is obtained if the material of the belt is resilient.

In the prior art, the connections between the legs and the body of thebird ensure that cuts for separating the legs from the bird cannot becarried out optimally, since the mobility of the legs with respect tothe body is limited. If firstly a transverse incision is made in theabdomen itself, or the breast part is cut off, and the legs are onlyseparated from the body after this, the legs can be directed much moreeasily and, in addition, are much more accessible to knives in the hiparea. Before the legs are cut off the body of the bird, the hips of thebird can be dislocated, which can be easily achieved as a result of theeasier manipulation of the legs after the breast part has been cut offthe bird in accordance with the invention. Other advantages are obtainedduring any further processing operations, such as roasting, frying,coating with breadcrumbs and marinating, since undesirable cavities inwhich substances such as water, breadcrumbs and marinade couldaccumulate, are avoided.

According to the invention, the dislocation of the hips of the birdwhich is suspended by its legs from a hook of a moving conveyorcomprises the steps of: placing a leg support element against each legon the side of the leg which faces towards the breast side of the bird;placing a hip support element against each hip on the side of the hipwhich faces the back of the bird; and exerting oppositely directedforces on the bird by means of the leg support element and the hipsupport element in order to dislocate the hip joints. Such a method canbe carried out completely automatically very well, both in combinationwith other processing operations on the bird and independently of suchoperations.

Preferably, the legs are spread apart by exerting oppositely directedforces in the hollows of the knees of the legs, and the leg supportelement engages the leg in the area of the drumstick. Dislocating thehips of a bird which is suspended from a hook of a moving conveyor canbe carried out most easily if the legs of the bird are situated onebehind the other, as seen in the conveying direction of the conveyor. Inthis case, the hip dislocating forces are exerted in a direction whichis substantially transverse with respect to the direction of movement ofthe conveyor while the bird is being conveyed.

In a preferred embodiment, the leg support element and/or the hipsupport element comprise a guide which runs substantially parallel to orat a small angle to the conveying direction of the conveyor. It is thusextremely simple to obtain an effective hip dislocating device.

In another preferred embodiment, the means for supporting the hipcomprise a pair of pins, of which the areas between the ends thereof aredesigned so as to engage the hips. In particular, the longitudinal axisof the pins is oriented substantially vertically. The use of the pinsoffers the advantage that the dislocation can be controlled separatelyfor each of the two hips of a bird. As an alternative to pins, it isalso possible for the hip support means used to be a pair of wheels, thecircumferential sides of which are designed to engage the hips.

According to the invention, the wings of the bird, including a part ofthe breast or the back of the bird, can be cut off optimally, both incombination with other partial processing operations and independentlyfrom such operations, by means of a rotating knife, the correspondingshoulder joint of the bird moving past the knife near the undersidethereof, and the active part of the knife moving in substantially thesame direction as the shoulder joint. Advantageously, the legs of thebird are in this case situated next to one another, as seen in theconveying direction of the conveyor. The particular manner of cuttingallows the wings of the bird to be guided past the knife in asubstantially natural position of the wings.

The claims and advantages will be more readily appreciated as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription and considered in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which like reference symbols designate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of part of a device for positioning aslaughtered bird which is hung by its legs from a hook of a movingconveyor;

FIG. 1 a shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thedevice in accordance with FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device in accordance with FIG. 1in combination with a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legs from ahook of a moving conveyor;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a positioning step which iscarried out on the bird with the aid of the device in accordance withFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a following positioning step;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a further positioning step;

FIG. 6 illustrates in perspective, diagrammatic view processingoperations which are to be carried out on the bird in order to cut off apart of the breast;

FIG. 6 a shows, partially in cross section, the positioning of the birdprior to and during the operation of cutting off said part of thebreast;

FIG. 6 b shows a side view, on an enlarged scale, of a positioningelement;

FIG. 6 c shows a front view of the positioning element of FIG. 6 b;

FIG. 6 d shows a plan view of the positioning element of FIG. 6 b;

FIG. 6 e shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thedevice in accordance with FIGS. 1–3;

FIG. 6 f shows a perspective view of another use position of the devicein accordance with FIG. 6 e;

FIG. 6 g shows a perspective view of the device in accordance with FIG.6 e in combination with a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legsfrom a hook of a moving conveyor;

FIG. 6 h illustrates a perspective view of a positioning step which iscarried out on the bird with the aid of the device in accordance withFIG. 6 e;

FIG. 6 i illustrates a perspective view of a following positioning step;

FIG. 6 j illustrates a side view of the positioning step in accordancewith FIG. 6 i;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view from above of part of a device fordislocating the hips of a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legsfrom a hook of a moving conveyor;

FIG. 7 a shows a view in the direction of arrow VIIa in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view, from below, of a part of the device inaccordance with FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 a shows a view in the direction of arrow VIIIa in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 illustrates a hip-dislocating operation carried out using thedevice in accordance with FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b respectively show a side view and a rear view of analternative embodiment of a device for dislocating the hips of aslaughtered bird which is hung by its legs from a hook of a movingconveyor;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a device for cutting off the wingsof a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legs from the hook of amoving conveyor;

FIG. 12 shows a view, partially in cross-section, in the direction ofarrow XII in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 shows another view, partially in cross section, in the directionof arrow XII in FIG. 11.

Throughout the various figures, the same reference numerals relate tothe same components or components which have the same function.

FIG. 1 shows two rods 2 and 4 which extend substantially in the verticaldirection, and along which a support block 6 can be moved in directionsindicated by double arrow 8, by means of drive means, which are notshown in more detail, but are known per se, such as for example anelectric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator or a curved track controlunit. The rods 2, 4 are connected to a frame (not shown in more detail)and may either be stationary or move in one of the directions indicatedby double arrow 10. The movement in the direction of the arrow 10 may beeither rectilinear or curved or a combination of both. Theabovementioned frame may comprise a number of the devices shown in FIG.1, for example in a carousel configuration. The support block 6 isprovided with two substantially U-shaped or V-shaped forks 12 a, 12 b,both of which can pivot through a predetermined angle aboutcorresponding pins 14 a and 14 b, respectively, in the direction ofdouble arrows 16. The movement of the forks 12 a, 12 b is controlled ina manner not shown in more detail, for example in a manner which isknown per se and uses electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators or acurved track control unit. Furthermore, the support block 6 comprises acurved plate 18 which can pivot through a predetermined angle, about anaxis 20, in the directions of double arrow 22. The drive for the plate18 is not shown and may, for example, comprise an electric, pneumatic orhydraulic actuator or a curved track control unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, a slaughtered bird 26 which is hung by its legs froma hook 24 of a conveyor is guided against the support block 6, the forks12 a, 12 b being positioned between the hips and the wings of the bird26. The back side of the bird 26 is directed towards the support block6. In the situation shown in FIG. 2, the bird 26 is at rest with respectto the support block 6 and the associated components; nevertheless, thecombination of the bird 26 and the support block 6 with the associatedcomponents may be in motion, for example in one of the directionsindicated by the double arrow 10. In such a situation, the support block6 moves synchronously with a movement of the hook 24 in a conveyingpath.

The position which is shown in FIG. 2 changes to the position which isshown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, compared to FIG. 2, the support block 6 hasbeen moved downwards along the rods 2, 4 with respect to the hook 24,and the forks 12 a and 12 b have pivoted away from the body of the bird26 (i.e. fork 12 a has pivoted in the clockwise direction through anangle of approximately 60° about the pin 14 a, and fork 12 b has pivotedin the counterclockwise direction through an angle of approximately 60°about the pin 14 b), and the plate 18 has pivoted through an angle ofapproximately 25° towards the back of the bird 26, about the axis 20. Asa result, the bird 26 has to a large extent been moved into apredetermined position, in which the forks 12 a and 12 b clamp the bird26 in the vertical direction in that they push the elbow joint 28between the humerus, on the one hand, and the ulna and radius, on theother hand, downwards and outwards.

As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4, at the same time as orfollowing the positioning of the bird as shown in FIG. 3, a combinedsternum support element 30 and clavicle support element 32 is moved intothe body cavity of the bird 26 with the aid of a mechanism which is onlyshown by way of example and is described below.

In accordance with FIG. 4, the bottom ends of the rods 2 and 4 areconnected to one another by means of a bar 34. Two substantiallyL-shaped arms 36 are attached to the bar 34, which arms are connected toone another, in the area of their free ends, by means of a rotatablymounted pin 38, the centre of which is provided with a continuous hole40. Furthermore, two strips 42 are connected, on one side, to the arms36, in such a manner that they can pivot about respective rotationpoints 44, and, on the other side, are connected to a wheel carrier 48which is substantially U-shaped in cross section, in such a manner thatthey can pivot about respective rotation points 56. A rod 50 which ismounted slidably in the hole 40 is fixedly connected to the wheelcarrier 48. The rod 50 bears the sternum support element 30 as alaterally projecting rod, and the clavicle support element 32 as a rodwhich projects parallel to the sternum support element 30. A spring 56is situated on the rod 50 between the pin 38 and the wheel carrier 48.The wheel carrier 48 is provided with an axle 52 on which a free-runningwheel 54 is mounted.

When the above-described structure moves in the direction of arrow 10 a,the wheel 54 comes into contact with a rising side of a control element58. As a result, the rod 50 slides inwards through the hole 40 in thepin 38, in the upwards direction and counter to the force of the spring56, with the result that the sternum support element 30 and the claviclesupport element 32 are moved into the body cavity of the bird 26 via aneck opening which is present in the bird 26. In the process, the freeend of the sternum support element 30 moves directly or indirectlyagainst the sternum, in the area of the ventricle, while the upwardlydirected side of the clavicle support element 32 acts on the concaveside of the clavicle. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 6 a, wherethe clavicle is denoted by the reference numeral 60, the trabeculamediana by the reference numeral 62, and a trabecula intermedia isdenoted by the reference numeral 64.

It should also be noted that the design shown in FIG. 4 with the sternumsupport element 30 and the clavicle support element 32, and thecorresponding structure for moving it, is obviously also present in thearrangements shown in FIGS. 1–3, but has been omitted in these Figures.for the sake of clarity.

Once the bird 26 has reached the position illustrated in FIG. 4, it ismoved, in accordance with FIG. 5, in the direction of arrow 10 a againstand along a rod or strip 66 which, on its underside, may be providedwith one or more cutting elements 68 or is shaped in such a manner thata desired cutting action is achieved, in order to be able to move therod 66 to the desired location. The rod 66 acts directly or indirectlyon that side of the sternum which is directed towards the abdominalcavity, and pushes it away in a direction directed away from the back ofthe bird 26. FIG. 6 a shows the position of the rod 66 in more detail.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the bird 26 is guided, in the direction of thearrow 10 a, past a cutting device comprising a rotating knife 72 whichis driven by a motor 70, and a belt 74, which is guided around a roller76 and is driven, in a manner not shown in more detail, in the directionof arrow 78. The belt 74 acts on a breast part 80 which is to be cut offthe bird 26, the speed of the belt 74 being at least equal to, orgreater than, the speed of movement of the bird 26 in the directionindicated by the arrow 10 a. FIG. 6 a provides a detailed illustrationof the location where the belt 74 engages the breast part 80 and of theplane (indicated by a dot-dashed line) along which the knife 72 cuts offthe breast part 80. The positioning of the bird 26 brought about asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the action of the belt 74 make it possible toreproducibly obtain a symmetrical breast part which comprises part ofthe trabecula mediana and each trabecula intermedia.

FIG. 1 a shows a support block 6 a in which the plate 18 as shown inFIGS. 1–3 is not present. In FIG. 1 a, the function of the plate 18 isassumed by a rod 19 which is fixed, in a manner not shown in moredetail, with respect to the path of the support block 6 a, of which thedirection of movement is indicated by arrow 10 a. At the locationindicated in the figure by 19 a, the rod 19 has a double bend, thedistance between the rod 19 and the rods 2 and 4 to the right of thearea 19 a being less than the distance between said rods to the left ofthe area 19 a. Since the rod 19 is situated at the level of the back ofa bird which is to be positioned in the support block 6 a, the back ofthe bird will be pressed away when it moves past the area 19 a of therod 19. At that moment, the forks 12 a, 12 b have already been pivotedaway from the body of the bird in order to clamp its wings, unlike inthe situation of the forks 12 a, 12 b shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIGS. 6 b, 6 c and 6 d show an alternative to the rod 50 shown in FIG.4, with the sternum support element 30 and the clavicle support element32. A rod 50 a which is shown in FIGS. 6 b–6 d is provided with aclavicle/sternum support element 32 a and a sternum support element 31,the latter being provided with a slot 31 a on the side which is facingaway from the rod 50 a. When the rod 50 a is introduced into the bodycavity of a bird in the manner which has already been illustrated on thebasis of FIG. 4, via a neck opening in the bird, the area which isdenoted by 31 b comes to rest against the rostrum sterni of the sternum,the spinal column of the bird moving into the slot 31 a of the sternumsupport element 31. As a result of the tapering form of the sternumsupport element 31, the spinal column is pushed away from the sternum asthe sternum support element 31 penetrates further into the body of thebird, and consequently the clavicle will move in the same direction.Since in this way it is easier to control the position of the claviclethan in the situation illustrated in FIG. 4, the clavicle/sternumsupport element 32 a in FIG. 6 b can be shorter than the claviclesupport element 32 in FIG. 4. This reduces the risk of undesired damageto the bird in its neck area.

FIGS. 6 e and 6 f show a support block 6 b which can be moved indirections indicated by double arrow 8 and in a manner which can becontrolled and is not shown in more detail, along rods 2 and 4 whichextend substantially in the vertical direction. The rods 2 and 4 aremounted in plates 3 a and 3 b, which in turn are fitted in a frame (notshown in more detail). On the-support block 6 b, a substantiallyU-shaped bracket 21 with bent ends 21 a is mounted on supports 21 c insuch a manner that it can pivot about pins 21 b. As shown in particularin FIG. 6 f, the bracket 21 can move from the position shown in FIG. 6 eto the position shown in FIG. 6 f, and vice versa, to which end asuitable controllable drive, which is not shown in more detail, acts onthe pins 21 b.

The action of the device illustrated in FIGS. 6 e and 6 f will now beexplained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 g–6 j, which show thedevice in conjunction with a bird carcass which is hung by its legs froma hook. During this explanation, the position of the bracket shown inFIG. 6 e will be referred to as “horizontal”, and the position of thebracket 21 shown in FIG. 6 f will be referred to as “vertical”.

FIG. 6 g shows a bird 26 hanging from a hook 24. Both the hook 24 andthe assembly of plates 3 a, 3 b, rods 2, 4 and support block 6 b movesynchronously in one of the directions 10, the bird being taken betweenthe ends 21 a of the bracket 21 in the horizontal position. Then, asillustrated in FIG. 6 h, the support block 6 b is moved downwards alongthe rods 2, 4, until the bracket 21 in the horizontal position issituated at the level of the armpits of the bird 26. In a followingstep, as illustrated by FIGS. 6 i and 6 j, the bracket 21 is pivotedinto its vertical position, the ends 21 a of the bracket 21 engagingaround the wings of the bird 26. At the same time, the center part ofthe bracket 21 pushes against the back of the bird 26. In this way, thebird 26 is excellently positioned and fixed for a following processingoperation.

FIGS. 7 and 7 a show a section of a wheel 85, which is mounted on aframe (not shown in more detail) and along the circumference of whichthere are projections 86, the free end of which projections is roundedsubstantially in the shape of a V, merging into a base part withpredetermined transverse dimensions. The wheel 85 rotates in a directionindicated by arrow 88, the circumferential speed of the base part of theprojections 86 being substantially equal to the conveying speed of aslaughtered bird 92. The bird 92 is hung by its legs from a hook 90 of amoving conveyor (not shown in more detail) so that the tarsal joints ofthe bird 92 are essentially fixed in position in the hook 90. Theconveying direction of the hook 90 is indicated by arrow 94. The legs ofthe bird are supported against a guide 95 at the level of the drumsticksand on the side facing towards the breast of the bird.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 8 a, one of the projections 86 moves between thelegs of the bird 92, preferably, but not necessarily, at the level ofits knees. Since the transverse dimensions at the base part of theprojection 86 are greater than the distance between the legs of the bird92, the legs of the bird are spread apart by the projection 86. Becausethe tarsal joints are fixed by hook 90, during spreading, the legs ofthe bird are forced to rotate or twist outwardly so that they no longerface in the same direction. The legs are preferably rotated so that thefront of the legs, in particular the knees, face sideways or in oppositedirections.

As FIG. 8 also shows, the wheel 85 is mounted on an axle 96, and a guide98 is arranged beneath each projection 86, in which guide there is a rod102 which is provided with a transverse arm 100 and can move in itslongitudinal direction. At one end, each rod 102 bears a pair of pins104. The guides 98 are arranged in a fixed position with respect to theprojections 86 but movably with respect to a stationary cam disc 106which bears a cam 106 a.

As shown by FIG. 9, as the disc 85 continues to move in the direction ofarrow 88, the transverse arm 100 of the rod 102 is moved in thedirection of arrow 108 by the cam 106 a. As a result, the pins 104 exerta force on the hips of the bird 92. Moreover, the guide 95 exerts anopposing force on the legs of the bird. These combined forces cause thelegs of the bird 92 to twist outwardly further, resulting in thedislocation of the hips. It should be understood, however, thatstationary pins, as opposed to the moveable rod 102 and pins 104, couldbe provided along the path of the bird 92 to accomplish this result, ifan appropriate associated path of the hook 90 and the guide 95 ischosen.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b show an alternative hip dislocating device, in whicha set of guides 110 in a frame is arranged, in a manner not shown inmore detail, parallel to the path of a conveyor, which is not shown inmore detail and moves in the direction of arrow 109. The bird 92 is hungby its legs from a hook 90 so that the tarsal joints of the bird 92 areessentially fixed in position in the hook 90. The bird is preferablyhung so that the front of its legs are facing in a direction oppositearrow 109. The bird 92 encounters the guides 110, which act on the legs,preferably, but not necessarily, in the area of the knees, to spread thelegs laterally outwards while the bird is conveyed. Because the tarsaljoints are fixed by hook 90, during spreading, the legs of the bird 92are forced to rotate or twist outwardly so that they no longer face inthe same direction. The legs are preferably rotated so that the front ofthe legs (in particular the knees) face in a direction substantiallyorthogonal to arrow 109.

As the bird 92 continues in the direction of arrow 109, it encounters aset of wheels 114, which are mounted on an axle 112 in a frame (notshown in more detail). The wheels may be, but do not have to be,rotatable about the axle 112. The wheels 114 contact the bird 92 in thehip region to prevent forward movement of the body of the bird 92, thusexerting a force on the hips in a direction opposite arrow 109. Thelegs, however, are forced to continue to move forward in the directionof arrow 109 by hooks 90. The opposing forces directed on the bird 92 bythe wheels 114 and hooks 90 cause the legs to twist further and resultin the dislocation of the hips.

FIGS. 11–13 show the essential components of a device for cutting wingsoff slaughtered birds which are hung by their legs from a hook of amoving conveyor. The elements shown are attached in a frame, which isnot shown in more detail for the sake of clarity. FIGS. 11–13 show fourguides 120, 122, 124 and 126 for catching the wings of birds 130 whichare hung from hooks 128, and two guides 144, 146 in the transition areabetween breast and hip. In this case, the right wings 132 are collectedbetween the guides 122 and 126, while the left wings 134 are collectedbetween the guides 120 and 124. Guides 144 and 146 clamp the breast. Thebirds 130 are moved in the direction of arrow 136. A set of rotatingknives 142, which are each driven by a motor 138 in the direction ofarrow 140, is arranged in the path of the birds 130, in order to cut thewings 132, 134 off the body of the bird 130. The shoulder joints of thebird 130 move past the rotating knives 142 in the vicinity of theunderside thereof, the active part of the knives 142 moving in the samedirection as the shoulder joint.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its preferredembodiments, it should be understood that departures may be madetherefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not limited to thedetails disclosed herein.

1. A processing device for dislocating hip joints in hips of aslaughtered bird having legs, wherein the device is automated andcomprises: a twisting device for twisting the legs of the bird; a legsupport device for exerting a force on the legs on a first side of thebird; a hip support device for exerting a force on the hips on a secondside of the bird, wherein the force exerted by the hip support device issubstantially opposite the force exerted by the leg support device;wherein the forces of the leg support device and hip support deviceexerted on the bird dislocate the hip joints.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the first side of the bird is the breast side of the bird. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein the second side of the bird is the backside of the bird.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising aconveyor for conveying the bird in a conveying direction, the forceexerted by the hip support device being in a direction which issubstantially transverse to the conveying direction.
 5. The device ofclaim 4, wherein the force exerted by the hip support device is in adirection substantially opposite to the force exerted by the leg supportdevice.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor forconveying the bird in a conveying direction, the force exerted by thehip support device being in a direction which is substantially oppositeto the conveying direction.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the forceexerted by the hip support device is in a direction substantiallyopposite to the force exerted by the leg support device.
 8. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the twisting device comprises at least one memberthat engages the inner region of the legs to spread the legs of thebird.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the at least one member engagesthe inner region of the knees to spread the legs of the bird.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor for conveying the birdin a conveying direction, the conveyor comprising at least one hook fromwhich the bird is hung by its legs.
 11. The device of claim 10, whereinthe tarsal joints of the bird are substantially fixed in the hook. 12.The device of claim 10, wherein the leg support device comprises atleast a portion of the hook.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the atleast one hook comprises at least two hooks situated one behind theother as seen in the conveying direction.
 14. The device of claim 10,wherein the at least one hook comprises at least two hooks situatedside-by-side as seen in the conveying direction.
 15. The device of claim1, wherein the leg support device is adapted to engage the leg in thearea of the drumstick.
 16. The device of claim 1, further comprising aconveyor for conveying the bird in a conveying direction, the legsupport device comprising a guide which runs substantially parallel toor at a slight angle to the conveying direction.
 17. The device of claim16, wherein the first side of the bird is the breast side of the birdand wherein the guide is adapted to engage the leg in the area of thedrumstick.
 18. The device of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor forconveying the bird in a conveying direction, the hip support devicecomprising a guide which runs substantially parallel to or at a slightangle to the conveying direction.
 19. The device of claim 1, wherein thehip support device comprises a pair of pins adapted to engage the hipsof the bird.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the pins compriselongitudinal axes that are directed substantially vertically.
 21. Thedevice of claim 19, further comprising a conveyor for conveying the birdalong a conveying path, wherein the pair of pins is positioned along thepath and is substantially stationary.
 22. The device of claim 19,wherein the pair of pins is positioned on a moveable rod.
 23. The deviceof claim 22, wherein the twisting device comprises projectionspositioned along the circumference of a wheel and wherein the hipsupport device further comprises a guide connected to the moveable rod,wherein the guide is positioned beneath each projection on the wheel.24. The device of claim 23, further comprising a cam mounted on astationary cam disc for moving the moveable rod.
 25. The device of claim1, wherein the hip support device comprises a pair of wheels, thecircumferential sides of which are adapted to engage the hips.
 26. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the twisting device comprises at least oneprojection and wherein at least a portion of the at least one projectioncomprises a transverse dimension greater than a distance between thelegs of the bird.
 27. The device of claim 26, further comprising aconveyor for conveying the bird at a conveying speed, wherein the atleast one projection is positioned along a wheel having acircumferential speed substantially equal to the conveying speed. 28.The device of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor for conveying thebird along a conveyance path, wherein the twisting device comprises aset of guides oriented substantially parallel to the conveyance path andwherein the guides engage the bird to spread the legs of the birdlaterally outwards.
 29. The device of claim 28, wherein the hip supportdevice comprises a pair of wheels, the circumferential sides of whichare adapted to engage the hips.
 30. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising incision means for making a transverse incision in theabdomen of the bird prior to dislocating the hips of the bird.